These words of wisdom mean that the work of raising a child cannot easily be done alone. An entire community can participate to some extent in this important task.

Each child has a family consisting of one or more parents, siblings, along with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. All these relatives play a crucial role in a child's social development. Each child is socialized through the family unit.

As a child grows, the village becomes larger in scope. The neighbourhood, peers and the school community become important in a child's life.

The school community gives children a chance to spread their wings and develop new skills. Schools can play an influential role because every school gives the students unique opportunities to blossom and thrive.

Schools that encourage service learning help develop a strong sense of social responsibility and citizenship skills. Involvement in the school community increases the chances that kids will volunteer when they grow up. Children who learn to serve usually do well socially and academically.

Let me use this column to introduce Anna Gillis, a Grade 6 student at Macdonald Elementary School in Dominion. She is the daughter of Joanne and Fred Gillis. Many in the local area will know her grandfather, Lennie Stephenson, a skilled historian and the ultimate community volunteer.

Anna represents the many students all over Cape Breton who help our schools run more efficiently. Macdonald Elementary has provided this young lady with countless opportunities to develop new skills.

According to principal, Brian Doue, "Anna is a fanastic student. She is a joy to have in our school. Anna is a great help to both students and staff. She does it all with a smile. I would love to have a school full of Annas with her personality and character."

The school has provided the challenges of responsibility and Anna has risen to the occasion.

Just what does Anna do in an average school day? Each school in our district has a breakfast program. Research has proven that students perform better academically when their minds and bodies are well nourished.

Anna shows up early for her school day to assist with the breakfast program so that other students will have a better start to their day. At noon, Anna assists with the heating up of the food that the children bring for their lunch.

All our schools have an active recycling program. Anna helps out with the sorting so that our world can be a better place for the future. The school has a school memo system. Anna delivers memos from the office to the classrooms, teacher to teacher, etc. so that everyone in the building is kept up-to-date on issues pertaining to the school.

Macdonald Elementary has a fabulous playground, dedicated in the memory of a former student, Marcia Fiolek. Anna uses her spare time at the playground, helping younger students in their play activities. When the weather is inclement, Anna takes on the role of indoor class helper.

As if that wasn't enough, this young lady plays on the school's basketball team and is an accomplished player with the Soccer Cape Breton elite program. Anna continues to perform as an A student in her academic standing.

Anna says that "she can't wait to go back to school in September to do it all over again."

Students like Anna are the future and they truly want to make a difference in the world.

If it takes a village to raise a child ... let us all make an effort to create one so that our students can be part of a good and caring society.

Yvonne Kennedy is a retired teacher and a member of the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board. She lives in Homeville and can be contacted at mlkenned@seaside.ns.ca.

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Shirley DeDieu

August 01, 2014 - 07:57

Congratulations Anna.I am so proud to say I know you and your parents and your Grandparents. You are a very dedicated,kind , thoughtful, and plus you are such a great student. We as a community are very lucky and proud to know you are one of us. I am sure we will be reading much more in the years to come of your accomplishments. Keep up the good work and remember not only Mom and Dad are proud of you.